Md. County offers incentives to boost nuclear operation. Aiming to become the first U.S. jurisdiction since 1996 with a newly operating nuclear energy reactor, officials offered tax breaks valued at $300 million to induce a company to expand its nuclear power operation along the Chesapeake Bay. [News Source]

Climate Change Threatens Pollination Timing (PhysOrg)

In addition to the more obvious effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increasing storm activity, there is the potential to dramatically alter ecological communities. Dr. David Inouye, director of University of Maryland`s graduate program in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology, reports that global warming could disrupt the timing of pollination in alpine

Wall Street’s new love affair. Why some of the world's smartest investors are betting billions on clean energy. [News Source]

For BP, a pair of repairs. On Sunday, the company revealed that a March oil spill in Alaska stemmed from pipeline corrosion so widespread that BP will suspend all production in Prudhoe Bay, the largest U.S. oil field, while it replaces 16 miles of pipe. [News Source]

NOAA curtails hurricane forecast. The 2006 hurricane season has fallen far behind last year's record for tropical storm activity, but scientists predict that this year will nonetheless be above average, with seven to nine hurricanes forming in the Atlantic basin. [News Source]

A better carbon dioxide trap? Researchers have proposed a new type of trap that stashes the greenhouse gas beneath the bottom of the sea. [News Source]

Bug off: Global warming increases pest growth. Aside from being blamed for the increase in violent storms and intense heat waves, global warming may also be affecting the ability of the forests to handle pest outbreaks. [News Source]

Researcher reads palms for signs of global warming. In a dying coastal forest, the cabbage palm will be the last tree standing. [News Source]

Local scientist ID’s threat to world’s oceans. Cal State San Marcos biologist Dr. Victoria Fabry said the oceans are changing and the water is becoming more acidic thanks to manmade causes like the build-up of fossil fuels like oil and gas as well as car exhaust. [News Source]

FutureGen consortium to reveal site finalists Tuesday. Illinois, Kentucky and five other states aggressively bidding for a billion-dollar power plant prototype will learn next week which of the dozen sites contending for the so-called FutureGen advance as finalists. [News Source]

Expect more extreme rain in future - scientist. A climate change scientist has predicted by 2080 New Zealand will be on average up to two degrees warmer and generally drier in eastern areas, including Hawke's Bay and Marlborough – but will experience more days of extreme heavy rainfall. [News Source]